I've been just a-sittin' here for the past 7-8 years with a lot of pain in my neck, shoulders, and tail bone. It feels like my shoulder is coming detached. Awful!

This is my question: Should I go to a Neurosurgeon or a Neurologist? I've been going to a pain doctor for over a year.He prescribes Methadone. It doesn't help the pain too very much.But I don't want to take more becauseit makes me so dopey, sleepy, and out of it.

If I try to talk to my pain doctor about my Pain, all he says is "You need a Pain Pump" I'd like to go to a Neurosurgeon or a Neurologistfor a new MRI or Xray of various areas. But I don't know if that would cause my pain doctorto not trust me.It would be awful if he said, "Well, hrmmmph, you canjust let your new Neurologist write your prescriptions foryou."

Pam I thnk its time you do get a good MRI done on your neck. When is the last time you had one? If its been well over a year or more then its time. I would recommend probably a neurologist since you are not intersted in surgery. A neurosurgeon really isn't interested in a patient unless they are willing to have surgery. As long as you are not getting pain medications from another dr your should not have a problem with you getting a consult. The way around this is because your pain is getting worse and your symptoms are getting worse its time for some investigative medicine to see if there are any new problems or worsening of your condition. Thats perfectly reasonable on anyones part. Also is your email here that is listed a good one or not. I wanted to eamil you but was not sure it was a good address. You can answer me on this quickly and then edit your post taking out your answer for unwanteds to see. Susie

Pamela,I think you need to know the reason you're seeking another doctor before you can decide on the specialty. If you're interested in surgery, then a consult with a neurosurgeon (but they may want a new MRI before they even see you) would be the route to go. But if you don't want surgery, is it just that you want your pain managed? A neurologist will probably just send you back to the pain specialist. If you think you need more tests, even your pm specialist could order new MRI's. So you don't need to find a new doctor to do that. But your doctor - and more importantly your insurance - will want some reasons why these tests are needed.

Susie,If you click on the blue line under the name Pamela Neckpain, you will find myaol address. I want to ask you a couple of questions that just aren't "Public"My questions aren't too serious ... just more comfortable with privacy,

You got it, my friend. I am going to get an MRI, if I can. If insurance won't gofor it, I'll get an X-ray. I used to have a bunch of doctors and now all I have isone singing pain doctor. I need a parade of specialists!

How are YOU? Oh, how I hate the flu! I usually get the flu in December ... not this year though. I lucked out? or could it be coming .......

I would says like the other have "get a new up to date MRI of possible your whole spine"...Otherwise a neuro doc might not see you and you don't need a wasted trip...Good Luck in what you decide to do and oh course i'll says a prayer for you...{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGZ}}}}}}}}}}}}}********************************************** * Asthma, Allergies, Osteoarthritis, Spinal Stenosis, Degenative Disc, Fibromyalgia, Gerd, Enlarged Pituitary Gland ******** "We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world" from Helen Keller *********

I think starting off with the Neurologist is the best idea, he/she can order the MRI or whatever test is needed, and then if the Neurologist thinks surgery would help he/she can refer you to a Neurosurgeon. Your pain Doc shouldn't have any problem with you seeing a Neurologist, or Neurosurgeon or any other Doctor! Their whole goal should be, to do what is best for you, to get you better! I do wish you well!

Pamela,If it's for your shoulder, I wonder if an orthoepedist who specializes in shoulders might be your best bet. Not necessarily a surgeon, just an orthopod. But that's just an opinion. Course if your symptoms are more nerve related - like nerve pain down your arm into your hands, then a neurologist might be best. Sometimes it's tough to know.